Cold Turkey, Part 10

All characters in this story are purely fictional.  Any resemblence 
of these characters to real life people are conicidence only, and are 
not meant to cause offence to anyone.  All place names and locations 
in this story are intentionally fictional.  

COLD TURKEY
by Blackbladder

Part 10

The dark clouds continued to gather in menancing groups.  The local
multi-centre lights illuminated against the dark sky.  Denise inserted money
into the telephone box.

"Hello?" 

"Hi Paul - it's me, Denise."

"How you doing, love? Hows the holiday going?"

"It has been interesting, Paul.  I need you to help me though.  I had an
accident yesterday..."

"Oh no! What is wrong?"

"I am fine now - i think." Denise smiled as she stared at the overlooking
cloud formations.  Thunder was now beginning to echo the telephone booth.  

"I banged my head on our cabin fireplace.  I can't remember a lot of things."

"Oh honey, you want me to come and pick you up? You seen a doctor yet?" 

"Paul, don't panic.  I am starting to remember a few things about you and the
kids.  We have two great kids, Hannah and Stacey, right?" 

"Yeh, you sure you are ok?  Has your mother helped you remember anything?"

"My mother has been great.  She told me a lot of stuff this morning about how
I got my job.  Even when she was talking about you  this morning, I had a
flashback about how we met at the Ice Rink..."

"That's good news darling.  You still remember us then.  Well, the kids are
doing great.  Today, Hannah got a part in her school play.  I told her you
would be thrilled when you come back.  Just a few more days - the kids are
dying to see you again.  I miss you like hell." 

Denise blushed slightly - her memory was still very blurry.  This glitch
clouded her real emotions for Paul.  She knew he was her husband - but her
head was still suggesting he was merely a stranger.  

Echoes of thunder released a bombardment of raindrops all around the small
multi-centre.  

"Paul? I gotta go.  The weather has taken a turn for the worse."

"Ok darling, how is your mother doing with not smoking?"

Denise's mind raced.  Had she been deceived? She felt rage build up inside her
like a volcano, despite the cold raindrops drenching her.  Denise was
speechless at a response to Paul's question.  She had to find out what was
going on.

"Paul, I gotta go, love you." Denise feigned.

As Denise replaced the phone on the receiver, she sprinted towards her bike.
As she sat on the saddle, she could hear a gush of air at her feet.  On
further inspection, she realised her front tyre was punctured.  

"This is just great!" Denise mumbled to herself in frustration.  Good thing
she had her cycle helmet to keep out the rain on her blonde hair.  Looking for
cover, Denise spotted an overgrowth on the other side of the deserted road.  

After taking cover,she shivered as the cold, damp environment began to take
its toll on the keen cyclist.  How could the weather be this bad?, she
wondered.  Denise needed away from the freezing cold the rain was bringing.
Lightning illuminated all around her as the rainflow increased, pelting the
ground like bullets.  

Suddenly, she heard a loud horn and looked over towards a car that had
stopped.  Denise smiled, then ran towards the on-road samaritan...

Irene stared outside her cabin window, cursing at the storm now attacking the
nature reserve.  The tree branches danced in the gale force winds - another
weapon in the weather's arsenal.  Irene clicked the lighter once again and
sucked the cigarette - urgently needing this nicotine fix to quench her thirst
for smoke.  In the four hours Denise had been gone cycling, her Mother had
went through half a pack of cigarettes.  This was no secret to Irene that she
now embraced her return to the habit with more zest than ever before.  This
freedom, no matter how temporary it seemed, was highly welcomed as she could
currently smoke without feeling self-conscious.  The only matter on Irene's
mind was how Denise would take the news when she returned.  As Irene sat on
the chair and inhaled deeply again, she realised she now had to be upfront
about the habit to her daughter.  Their discussion tonight would be a heated
one...

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